Have you ever found an old coin and wondered if it’s worth anything? Whether you’re a seasoned numismatist or just getting started with coin collecting, finding the right coin scanner app can make all the difference. Today’s coin identifier app technology uses advanced AI to instantly recognize coins, estimate values, and even detect rare errors that could be worth thousands of dollars.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve tested and reviewed the best coin value app options available. From simple identification tools to professional-grade market analysis platforms, these apps transform your smartphone into a powerful numismatic assistant. Let’s dive into the top 11 free coin scanner apps that every collector should know about.
Quick Glance: Best Coin Scanner Apps
- CoinKnow – Best overall for US Beginners and serious collectors
- CoinValueChecker – Best for investors
- CoinSnap – Best for beginners
- Coinoscope – Best for international coins
- PCGS CoinFacts – Best reference tool
- NGC Coin App – Best for certified coins
- Numiis – Best for history lovers
- Maktun – Best international coverage
Top 11 Free Coin Scanner Apps Reviews
1. CoinKnow – Top Recommended
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best Overall)
CoinKnow stands out as the most advanced coin scanner app, delivering professional-grade accuracy that serious collectors demand. This coin identifier app is one of only two worldwide that automatically detects rare error coins including doubled dies, repunched mint marks, and missing mint marks.
The app delivers Sheldon Scale grading within a remarkable 2-point range, the tightest accuracy available in mobile technology. It includes copper color classification for pennies, recognizing RD, RB, and BN designations, plus CAM/DCAM proof finish detection.
Monthly price database updates keep valuations current, while the clean interface makes navigation straightforward. Daily free scans are available without aggressive subscription pushes. The primary limitation is its U.S. coin focus with minimal international coverage, but for American coin collectors seeking to discover hidden treasures, CoinKnow represents the gold standard.
Best For: Serious collectors who need professional-grade accuracy for U.S. coins
2. CoinValueChecker
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best for Investors)
CoinValueChecker combines precise identification with powerful market intelligence tools, making it the ideal coin value app for collectors who view numismatics as investment opportunities. Like CoinKnow, it automatically detects valuable error coins including DDO, DDR, and missing mint marks with claimed 99% accuracy across 300,000+ U.S. coin types.
What truly distinguishes this app is its comprehensive market analysis suite featuring real-time price trend charts, auction tracking with customizable alerts, and collector leaderboards. The portfolio management system monitors your collection’s value over time, while grade-based pricing helps you understand how condition affects worth.
Available as both website and mobile versions, it offers cross-platform convenience for serious numismatists. The feature-rich interface may feel overwhelming for casual beginners, and like CoinKnow, it focuses exclusively on U.S. coins. For investors making buying or selling decisions based on current market activity, this coin identifier app provides unmatched intelligence.
Best For: Investors and serious collectors tracking market values
3. CoinSnap
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (Best for Beginners)
CoinSnap offers the most intuitive experience for anyone new to coin collecting, prioritizing simplicity and speed over advanced features. This coin scanner app delivers instant results—just snap a photo and receive identification, value estimates, and historical information within seconds, no technical knowledge required.
The app identifies 240,000+ coin types from around the world with claimed 99% accuracy. Its AI-powered technology automatically assesses condition, provides market value estimates, and detects minting errors.
Collection management tools let you organize coins by series and track total value effortlessly. The interface is extremely user-friendly, making it perfect for quick checks of coins you encounter. While less precise than top-tier apps for rare coins, and grading features require subscription, it excels at accessibility. Some users report value estimates can be vague, but for beginners wanting quick answers without complexity, CoinSnap remains the fastest and simplest option.
Best For: Beginners and casual collectors wanting instant identification
4. Coinoscope
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (Best for International Coins)
With an impressive 4.5/5 rating and 1.7 million downloads, Coinoscope has proven reliability and massive worldwide coin coverage. This coin identifier app excels at identifying international coins that other apps might miss, using visual matching technology to show you similar coins for comparison.
The database includes 300,000+ coins and 120,000+ banknotes from around the globe. AI image recognition analyzes your photos and displays visually similar coins, making identification intuitive even for obscure pieces.
Basic features including identification and value estimation are genuinely free, while the Pro version removes ads and unlocks unlimited advanced features. The app requires an internet connection to function, and free users face daily scan limits for premium features. However, its extensive global coverage and trusted track record make it invaluable for collectors with international coins or travelers encountering foreign currency. The visual comparison approach helps when you’re unsure about identification.
Best For: Collectors with international coins and travelers
5. PCGS CoinFacts
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best Reference Tool)
Created by Professional Coin Grading Service, PCGS CoinFacts serves as the industry-standard encyclopedia for U.S. coin information rather than an automatic coin scanner app. This coin value app contains comprehensive data on 39,000+ U.S. coins with complete pricing across all grades, directly from the most respected grading authority in numismatics.
Unlike AI-powered identifiers, this is a reference tool requiring you to know what coin you have first. Once identified, it provides professional pricing data, historical price charts tracking long-term trends, and access to 2+ million auction records.
The app includes expert articles, high-quality images of coins in various grades, and detailed variety information. It’s completely free to use, offering authoritative data trusted by professional collectors worldwide. The limitation is obvious—you must manually look up coins rather than photographing them for automatic identification. For serious collectors needing professional-grade reference data and pricing for investment decisions, PCGS CoinFacts remains the definitive resource.
Best For: Serious collectors needing authoritative reference data
6. NGC Coin App
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (Best for Certified Coins)
The official NGC app specializes in professionally graded coins in NGC holders, providing instant, authoritative identification through barcode scanning technology. This coin value app is essential if you collect professionally graded coins, as photographing through plastic slabs often yields poor results with standard coin scanner apps.
Simply scan the NGC barcode to instantly access official certification data directly from the NGC database. The app provides grade verification, confirms authenticity, displays market pricing for NGC-graded coins, and offers population reports showing rarity data.
Comprehensive coin detail pages give you everything needed to evaluate certified pieces. The app is completely free to use and provides authoritative information backed by NGC’s reputation. However, it’s only useful for NGC-certified coins and offers limited functionality for raw or uncertified pieces. For collectors who own or are considering purchasing NGC-certified coins and need reliable verification tools, this coin identifier app delivers official authentication that no third-party app can match.
Best For: Collectors verifying NGC-certified coins
7. Numiis
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best for History Lovers)
Numiis takes a unique approach by emphasizing the fascinating stories and historical context behind coins rather than just identification and pricing. This coin identifier app transforms collecting into an educational journey, helping you understand not just what you own, but why certain coins matter historically.
The database covers 30,000 U.S. coins with rich historical narratives explaining each coin’s era, political situation, and cultural significance. Detailed filtering by year, country, denomination, mint mark, and historical period makes research efficient and thorough.
Each coin comes with comprehensive background information and educational content that makes numismatics engaging. The app also includes auction data and dealer information for informed purchasing decisions. Only the trial period is free, with ongoing use requiring a subscription. The identification process is slower compared to automatic apps, which might frustrate users seeking quick answers. For history enthusiasts, educators, and collectors who value knowledge as much as monetary worth, Numiis delivers exceptional educational value.
Best For: History enthusiasts and educators
8. Maktun
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (Best International Coverage)
Maktun provides extraordinarily extensive international coverage and operates completely free without advertisements, making it a rarity among coin scanner apps. With over 300,000 coins, 160,000 banknotes, and 15,000 tokens from around the world, this coin value app covers obscure pieces that specialized apps completely miss.
The visual recognition system identifies coins by appearance without requiring prior numismatic knowledge—simply photograph both sides for comprehensive analysis. Each entry features high-resolution images, complete specifications including weight and composition, historical context, and current market valuations.
A standout feature is offline functionality, making it ideal for coin shows or areas with poor reception. Users can create private collections, save photos, export data to PDF/XLS/CSV formats, and view collection statistics with world map infographics. Cloud backup ensures secure cross-device access. The extensive options may overwhelm U.S.-only collectors, and error detection is less advanced than specialized apps. For international coin collectors, travelers, and dealers handling diverse global inventory, Maktun’s comprehensive coverage is invaluable.
Best For: International collectors and global currency enthusiasts
9. Greysheet Mobile
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (Best Professional Pricing)
Greysheet Mobile delivers trusted wholesale and retail pricing used by professional dealers since 1963, providing the same market data that industry experts rely on for buying and selling decisions. This coin value app offers 150,000+ wholesale and retail prices plus access to 2+ million auction records, with hourly pricing updates ensuring maximum currency.
Focusing on U.S. coins and paper money, the app includes historical price charts revealing long-term trends, real-time gold and silver spot pricing, industry news to keep you informed, and dealer directories to find reputable sellers.
The pricing information comes directly from industry-standard sources trusted by professionals for over six decades. It’s free to access, providing invaluable market intelligence without subscription fees. However, this isn’t an automatic coin identifier app—it requires you to know what coin you have first, then provides professional-grade pricing data. The U.S. focus means limited international coverage. For professional collectors, dealers, and serious investors who need accurate wholesale and retail pricing data to make informed decisions, Greysheet Mobile remains the authoritative pricing source.
Best For: Professional collectors and dealers needing accurate pricing
10. HeritCoin
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best Free Option)
HeritCoin is a pleasant surprise in the coin scanner app space, operating completely free without aggressive subscription pushes that plague many competitors. Unlike apps that constantly promote premium upgrades, HeritCoin provides robust features genuinely accessible to everyone without payment pressure.
The app uses AI-powered identification to recognize coins and provide value estimates. Collection management tools help you organize your finds, while the clean interface makes navigation simple and intuitive.
Regular updates keep the app current and functional. While it offers fewer advanced features than premium apps and maintains a smaller database than major competitors, the lack of subscription pressure makes it refreshing. Accuracy is good for common coins, though it’s less precise for rare varieties and unusual pieces. The completely free model means no hidden costs or constant upgrade prompts interrupting your experience. For budget-conscious collectors who want full functionality without paying or dealing with subscription pressure, HeritCoin delivers surprising value and represents the best truly free coin identifier app option available.
Best For: Budget-conscious collectors wanting no-cost access
11. Money Identifier (Numis)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best for Global Currency)
Money Identifier focuses on both coins and banknotes with true global coverage, handling currency from around the world with equal competence. While many coin identifier apps focus primarily on U.S. coins, this coin scanner app excels at international currency from every corner of the globe.
The AI-powered analysis provides comprehensive information including name, manufacture date, features, material composition, condition assessment, value estimates, and design details. The process is quick—simply take a photo or import an image, and the AI handles identification within seconds.
It’s like having a currency expert in your pocket, capable of recognizing diverse monetary systems worldwide. The free version works fine for occasional identifications, but serious users will hit limits quickly. The premium version costs $4.99/week or $24.99/month after a 3-day trial, offering unlimited identifications that can add up for large collections. The app can struggle with less common coins despite its global focus. For collectors with diverse international holdings or travelers frequently encountering foreign currency, Money Identifier’s worldwide coverage and dual coin-banknote capability make it uniquely valuable.
Best For: Travelers and collectors with diverse international currency
What’s the Best Free Coin Scanner App?
With so many excellent options, selecting the best coin value app depends on your specific collecting needs and experience level.
For Beginners: Start with CoinKnow or CoinSnap. Both offer simple, intuitive interfaces that don’t require numismatic knowledge, making them perfect for anyone just getting started with coin collecting.
For U.S. Coin Collectors: Choose CoinKnow or CoinValueChecker. Their automatic error detection can help you discover valuable coins you might otherwise overlook, potentially finding pieces worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.
For International Collections: Go with Coinoscope or Maktun. Both excel at identifying coins from around the world, with extensive databases covering hundreds of thousands of global pieces.
For Market Intelligence: CoinValueChecker and Greysheet Mobile provide the best pricing and trend data for investment decisions. These coin scanner apps help you understand market movements and make informed buying or selling choices.
For Reference and Research: Combine PCGS CoinFacts and NGC Coin App with your coin identifier app for comprehensive market data. This multi-app approach leverages each tool’s particular strengths.
For Education: Numiis transforms coin collecting into a learning experience with rich historical context. It’s ideal for collectors who want to understand the stories behind their coins.
Many experienced collectors actually use multiple apps together, leveraging each one’s particular strengths. You might snap a photo with CoinSnap for quick identification, verify details with PCGS CoinFacts, check for errors with CoinKnow, and track market trends with CoinValueChecker.
